In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when she heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Luke 1:39-45 ESV
Luke tells us that quickly, Mary hurried to see Elizabeth, a journey from Nazareth to the vicinity of Jerusalem (about 80 miles). Regardless of the route Mary took, the journey would have been three to five days, and she most likely joined herself to a caravan to make the treacherous trip.
When she arrived, the baby inside Elizabeth leaped and Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Elizabeth instantly knew by the Holy Spirit that she was in the presence of holiness! The word blessed means favored by God, prosperous, or happy. Having been childless for years, Elizabeth had reason to rejoice because of her trust and faith in what was to come in her son, John. But now, she had even more reason to rejoice because the child Mary would bear will be her Savior. Mary was declared to be blessed for her amazing faith in God who had decided to save His people in such an impossible way. She believed that although she was staring at uncertainties, God would take care of her in every single way to bring about His purposes.
The “blessed” one is the one who believes that the Lord will fulfill what He has spoken. He is faithful. He is able. He is with us every step of the way. This message could not have come at a better time, as we face the uncertainties of this Covid-19 crisis. But we serve the God who is in total control. He is faithful. He is with us in every step of today and every day.
Are you trusting in God as your faithful provider, regardless of what today looks like? Will you take a moment and jot down some of the ways you are blessed? Will you thank God for His past provision and trust Him for today and future provision?